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Understanding Cyber Resilience in Senior Care
As technology increasingly shapes the healthcare landscape, post-acute and senior care organizations face unique cybersecurity challenges. A surge of cyber incidents has exposed vulnerabilities within these establishments, especially following significant attacks like last year’s Change Healthcare breach. This incident forced many organizations back to manual processing, compromising cash flow and operational integrity. Senior care organizations, often operating on narrow margins, are now under pressure to fortify their cyber resilience to protect sensitive data and maintain smooth operations.
The Vulnerability of Older Adults
Among the primary concerns is the financial security of residents, who are frequently targeted by cyber scams. Alarmingly, the Federal Trade Commission reported that reports of losses over $10,000 from such scams among older adults have quadrupled from 2020 to 2024. Strengthening cybersecurity not only safeguards organizational integrity but also protects some of the most vulnerable demographic groups.
Bridging the Cybersecurity Gap
The current cybersecurity landscape reveals disparities among organizations regarding preparedness. Organizations vary significantly in their adoption of security measures, often influenced by budget constraints and resource availability. As emphasized at a recent HIMSS conference, many organizations find themselves competing for cybersecurity talent against better-funded hospitals, complicating their efforts to improve security. Partnerships with managed service providers are increasingly seen as a viable solution for ensuring 24/7 monitoring without the burden of in-house staffing fluctuations.
Third-Party Risk Management as a Priority
Today, many senior care operations depend on various third-party vendors for essential services. This reliance makes it paramount for organizations to not only understand their own security posture but also that of their external partners. Effective third-party risk management isn't just a cautionary tale; it is vital for operational success in an interconnected tech landscape.
In conclusion, as senior care organizations navigate ongoing cyber threats, prioritizing education, training, and partnerships is crucial. By enhancing cyber resilience frameworks, they can better protect their residents and maintain operational efficacy in increasingly complex environments.
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